Rahma Ahmed
By Ahmed Rahma
Some members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Obalende, Lagos are engaging in a free-for-all over the control of a garage, reports said.
They have caused pandemonium in the area, using dangerous weapons to fight themselves, causing people within the vicinity to run for dear lives.
According to information gathered by Business Post, trouble started on Thursday morning when a group of the transport union in the area allegedly attempted to take control of the garage at the Obalende Bridge, which made the rival group to put up a resistance.
They, thereafter, started to shoot at each other and used other weapons like machetes, charms, amongst others.
In the process, some properties were said to have been destroyed by the warring factions, while some motorists and commuters had to use alternative routes to get to their destinations.
As at the time of filing this report, efforts are being made by security operatives to bring the situation under control.
Incidents like this are very common in Lagos among transport union members, especially when attempts are made to take over the control of garages.
Also, clashes among NURTW members erupt during the election of officers and key members always want to remain in power to cement their control of the union.
In a few other cases, it is a supremacy battle between NURTW and its rival union, the Road Transport Employers’ Association Of Nigeria (RTEAN).
RTEAN is mostly regarded as a weaker body by NURTW and this usually brings about conflict between the two associations.
The leader of NURTW in Lagos State is Mr Musiliu Akinsanya, otherwise known as MC Oluomo. His base is Oshodi, where he still controls.
